Chapter 6: Teenagers

"So I heard you and Spikes are friends now?" 

Kitty turned her head to find herself surrounded by her classmates.

"The Barbies said they caught you two hanging out, and that you defended her?" Another kid spoke up.

Kitty bit down on the inside of her cheek, suppressing a low growl.

The kids fidgeted anxiously around her, a few of them choosing to leave rather than deal with Kitty's silence.

Kitty sighed when small group would still not back down. 

"Of course we're not friends." Kitty lied easily, brushing her ebony hair over her shoulder as she pushed past her classmates.

"Why would the Barbies say that you were then?" One of the girls spoke up.

"Because the poor thing doesn't have any friends." Kitty rolled her eyes. 
"I felt bad for her."

The kids exchanged glances, smiling at each other as they listened to Kitty.

She was grateful they were buying it. She didn't need Spikes's 'gang' to know that they were friends.

"So naturally when the Barbies started picking on her I had to do something. I do like charity." Kitty smiled sweetly as the kids laughed.

"And really, who doesn't have fun messing with the Barbies. They're so stupid and intimidated by me." 

They all nodded in agreement, discussing it among themselves.

Kitty's eyes fell to the ground briefly. She hoped Spikes wouldn't hear of this and take it personally.

Hoped she'd understand she was only trying to protect the dog.

Unfortunately Kitty knew she would not have the opportunity to explain for a few days further.

"That explains so much!"

"I knew Kitty wasn't the type to hang out with her."

"We should have known."

"As if anyone would ever want to be friends with Spikes!"

Kitty's jaw clenched, nails dug into her palms as she pushed past the kids and into the school building.

She snarled as she overheard multiple conversations about Spikes in the halls as she made her way to class.

For a moment Kitty wondered if it was just Spikes's abrasive personality or if she'd actually done something awful to the kids at Bridgeport High.

Kitty had been surprised by how genuine and kind Spikes had been once the dog's walls had lowered.

"Spikes is such trash."

A cruel smirk played across her lips, eyeing one of the barbies.

It was almost a shame that she was not also as kind.

Almost.

...

"What are you doing here?" Talon grinned as he approached the bench where Spikes sat.

"Same thing I do everyday?" Spikes growled, hardly bothering to glance at him.

"Don't you have a new buddy to sit with though?"

"Clearly you didn't get the update. I was just a charity case to her." Spikes responded, turning to face Xander. 

"Not that I give a shit though."

Spikes swallowed, eyes on the ground for a brief moment though.

The words stung.

She assumed Kitty hadn't meant them.

And yet the sting remained.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Talon's grin faded, replaced by a glare.

"She 'stuck up' for me because she pitied me. Which is hilarious considering that's the reason I helped her." Spikes scoffed.

"And what does the rich girl, who has everything she could ever want, have to be pitiful of?"

"She's completely alone." Spikes glanced up at Talon. 

"She's been here for nearly a full semester and yet she's always alone. Turns out money can't buy everything after all."

"What?" Talon growled. 

"You-"

"Leave her alone, Stupid." Xander reached over and punched his arm.

"Why the fuck would you even care anyways?"

"We can't have a softie running with us Xander."

"She's not soft. That I can guarantee." Xander glanced at her before turning his attention back to Talon.

"Can she prove that?"

"Leave me alone Talon." Spikes snarled. She stood from her seat, her face centimeters from Talons.

"Or you'll find out just how not soft I am."

Spikes pushed past him. She was going home. To hell with the rest of school.

"We have a job tonight." Talon whispered.

"It's the girl's mansion."

Spikes paused. 

Eyes wide before they narrowed and she turned around to face Talon.

"You can't be in on it if you're soft on her."

"You seriously think she means more to me than money?" Spikes scoffed.

"You're even stupider that I'd thought."

"I guess we'll be seeing you later tonight then."

...

Kitty sighed, leaning back against the couch.

"I need to get Spikes a phone." Kitty muttered.

Jinx mewled in response.

Kitty smiled, reaching over to stroke her cat. 

Her nerves began to settle, even if only slightly.

"I just want to know she's okay, Jinx." Kitty continued, glancing at the TV briefly.

"I don't know how her whole 'gang' thing works."

Jinx chirped, sitting up and glared at Kitty.

"Just because I blackmailed a student, does not mean I know how gangs work." Kitty protested against he cat's accusatory gaze.

"She deserved it anyways."

Kitty heard a car engine in the driveway. She stood to her feet.

Jinx mewled, Kitty glanced at her cat before looking back up to the living room door.

"Shall we go see who out visitors are?"

Jinx trailed after Kitty as she made her way through the living room and too a window that let her see the front yard.

Kitty knelt in front of the window, moving the curtain aside slightly.

She sighed when her eyes found Spikes.

Dressed in all black with the three boys she was seen with at school, Kitty assumed the dog hadn't stopped by to visit.

"They're probably here to steal stuff." Kitty commented, glancing quickly around the hallway for anything valuable.

Jinx hissed at Kitty.

"No, She wouldn't use me. I think her gang put her up to this." Kitty responded.

Kitty sighed, grabbing a few expensive items and placed them in easily seen locations.

"I don't really care about this stuff. Let them take what they need and get out." Kitty sighed, bending over to pet Jinx.

"Go hide. I'll let you know when it's safe."

Kitty ran around the corner, hoping she'd still be within hearing range.

She held her breath at the sound of approaching footsteps, and waited.

...

"Will you three ever shut up?" Spikes barked, glaring at the three boys trailing behind her.

Talon rolled his eyes, paying Spikes no attention.

Until Xander growled at him, pushing him aside as he walked to Spikes.

"So how're we doing this one?" Spikes asked Xander.

"Big house bound to have alarms. I go, unlock the door. Fang goes in after me and disables the alarms."

Spikes nodded, her eyes on the ground as the boys discussed a few more details amongst themselves.

"Let's do this thing." Fang spoke softly, catching Spikes's attention.

Xander led the way up the steps, Fang and Talon close behind.

Spikes hesitated for a moment, wondering if she was doing the right thing.

"There's an awful lot of lights on guys." Spikes pointed out, glancing up at one of the windows.

"I hired someone to ask her to hang out today. She shouldn't be here." Talon responded. His tone and attitude careless.

Spikes growled. 

This was one job she definitely did not want to be caught doing.

"What about here parents?" Fang asked, waiting for Xander to unlock the door.

"I've been staking the place out for a month." Talon retorted. "Either her parents are always gone, or she's got none."

"Quit gossiping like housewives." Xander growled throwing the door open. "Time isn't exactly on our side here."

Fang ran in and immediately began working on the alarm.

"Grab what you can and let's go." Talon sneered in Spikes's direction before running off.

Spikes sighed, making her way towards a nearby hallway when a large portrait caught her eye.

Portrait of a young girl with ebony hair and sapphire eyes next to who she could only assume was the girls father.

Guilt tore at her insides.

"This bitch has it so easy."

Wrong.

"I'm glad we're robbing her. Time she learn some pain."

Spikes bit down on the inside of her cheek until she could taste copper.

She stole to survive. That's what she'd always told herself.

How many other people had she hurt who were also only trying to survive in their own way?

"What the hell are you doing you worthless bitch?" Talon groaned behind her.

"You haven't even grabbed anything."

"I can't do this." Her voice was quiet as she turned to face Talon.

"What do you mean can't?" Xander asked. 

"This is one of the easiest jobs we've had in a long time."

Talon grinned, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Can't or won't?"

Spikes glanced briefly back at the portrait, before turning back to Talon.

"I won't."